No-Deal Brexit Plans for UK Nationals Published

At a Glance

The Greek government has published plans for the treatment of UK nationals currently residing in Greece in case of a no-deal Brexit scenario. Central details of the plan include:

• A grace period until December 31, 2020, during which time UK nationals already registered in Greece would be able to apply for a national residence permit.
• Non-EU family members of UK nationals, holding a corresponding residence permit, would also be able to stay in Greece until December 31, 2020. After this date, affected individuals would have to obtain a different permit type.
• UK nationals and their family members arriving in Greece before December 31, 2020 will still be treated as EU nationals and can continue to apply for EU registration or residence permits as dependents of an EU national, respectively.

The situation

The Greek government has published plans for the treatment of UK nationals currently residing in Greece, to take effect in case of a no-deal Brexit scenario.

A closer look

Further to prior announcements, the current published plans include the following details:

• Grace period. There would be a grace period until December 31, 2020, during which time UK nationals holding an EU registration card – the main registration formality required for EU nationals residing in Greece for more than three months – would be required to apply for a national residence permit.
• Continued work and stay. UK nationals currently residing in Greece would be able to continue working and staying in Greece during this period based on their current registration documents.
• Non-EU family members. Non-EU family members of UK nationals holding a corresponding residence permit would similarly be able to continue staying in Greece until December 31, 2020.  
• New arrivals. Exceptionally, the Greek government states that UK nationals and their family members arriving in Greece before December 31, 2020 will still be treated as EU nationals and can continue to apply for EU registration or residence permits as dependents of an EU national, respectively.

Impact

UK nationals who will continue to work and reside in Greece after Brexit Day should ensure that they take the necessary steps to obtain any documents required to register or apply for immigration status. UK nationals should also contact their local immigration offices to see if they are able to register or apply for their proper immigration status prior to Brexit Day.

Background

The proposal is a part of the government’s contingency planning in case no Brexit deal is concluded between the European Union and the United Kingdom before Brexit Day.

Many other EU countries have published contingency plans for UK nationals in case of a no-deal Brexit, with more expected soon. Fragomen will provide updates on the situation as they become available.

Looking ahead

Further details of the government plans have yet to be announced; all plans must receive final approval from the Greek parliament. Fragomen will provide updates on the situation as they become available.

Please contact a Fragomen immigration professional for assistance in planning contingency arrangements in a single project.

For more information, please visit Fragomen's dedicated Brexit site, which contains news, FAQs, and analysis/commentary in the form of blogs, videos, webcasts and events.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to emea@fragomen.com.